any one having issues gaining access to public forest land for hunting I'm set to head to Colorado in a week to hunt elk in the grand mesa national forest. didn't think about it much tell i seen this Quail Forever Press Release
Hunting & Fishing National forest land closed
- Thread starter Jester69
- Start date
I've heard some of this, but so far all that I've heard of materializing is a lack of forest service personel, which is a good thing in my view.
Man, I hope not!
70% of Utah is Federal (NFS, BLM, etc.). Closing these to hunters would essentially end the 2013 hunting seasons.
70% of Utah is Federal (NFS, BLM, etc.). Closing these to hunters would essentially end the 2013 hunting seasons.
I really, really, really try to avoid politics or anything close on forums, but this issue strikes close to home.
Remember one thing: That is your land. You paid for it and last I checked, continue to do so. Just because DC can't get their collective sh*t together doesn't mean you have to have your hunting season ruined. I, for one, will not be respecting a federal government's closures that can't show up for work....I still respect hunting rules and regulations as I believe in responsible conservation but they're not keeping me off my own land. /rant
Remember one thing: That is your land. You paid for it and last I checked, continue to do so. Just because DC can't get their collective sh*t together doesn't mean you have to have your hunting season ruined. I, for one, will not be respecting a federal government's closures that can't show up for work....I still respect hunting rules and regulations as I believe in responsible conservation but they're not keeping me off my own land. /rant
state wardens were told to check license and limits here and not to bother with the closure bullshit. hunted a wpa this weekend and a warden stopped by talked a little and we were both on our way
Thats the same thing I was telling all my coworkers the other day, its called public land for a reason. We have all paid our taxes, done our duties, put in and paid for our tags, licenses and all the associated bullshit fees they like to tag onto it. And now they wanna close down everything federal so we all have to feel the pain of a bloated government put on a cold turkey diet? I'd say its borderline criminal, bait and switch, extortion, or something like it. If I was to find my public lands suddenly locked up, closed or otherwise unusable, I would support a forced re-opening, however it need be done, such as torch open a gate, and leave it cut up neatly in a little pile with a sign that says public access.
I work for the USFS bare in mind I work fire and consider myself a public servant. I'm done for the season and back at school but the forest I work on is open the closures are primarily around camping and picnic areas that are maintained and equipped with structures and services. Dispersed camping is still available last I knew however critical personnel are still working ie LEO and pending the forest I'm sure they have FPO's still working so don't think you have a free for all and don't have to follow the rules anymore but the land should still be available for recreating and hunting. CO Fish and Game is a state agency so they will be out like usual as well. Good luck and please remember that the people you meet working the land are the stewards and have no say in what goes on in Washington. Just my $.02 as I know a lot of folks on here don't care for USFS, BLM, F&G, NPS and other agency employees, we are just trying to make a living working in the land we love!
I learned an important lesson a long time ago; the people responsible [footing the bill] make the decisions. Thats why your Parents got to say when and where you went, why your boss gets to tell you what to do, etc. I dont understand why the government seems to have it exactly backwards. If I have to pay for something, I damn well ought to have a say in how its used. Sadly the entities that be, see it differently.
I got this in my in box today about the closure and forest land...
"National Forests Remain Accessible
Despite the government shutdown beginning on October 1, National Forests remain open. However, it is important to know that visitor centers, public facilities and developed areas, including campgrounds, are closed. That means toilets have been locked, dumpster service has been suspended, and water is turned off.
Camping is not allowed in closed campgrounds, so hunters and other visitors should plan ahead and look for alternative campsites. Dispersed camping is still allowed on National Forests. However, visitors must camp responsibly. That means camping in previously disturbed sites, protecting vegetation, being careful with campfires, avoiding camping within 200 feet of streams and lakes, and using only weed free hay for stock.
Also, there are limited Forest Service staff available for assistance, so please exercise caution and safety while exploring the National Forest System. Finally, please be respectful of those Forest Service employees who are still working through the shutdown. They are doing their best to protect life and property throughout the National Forest System."
See more here... http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/...estions-about-visiting-national-forests/?_r=0
"National Forests Remain Accessible
Despite the government shutdown beginning on October 1, National Forests remain open. However, it is important to know that visitor centers, public facilities and developed areas, including campgrounds, are closed. That means toilets have been locked, dumpster service has been suspended, and water is turned off.
Camping is not allowed in closed campgrounds, so hunters and other visitors should plan ahead and look for alternative campsites. Dispersed camping is still allowed on National Forests. However, visitors must camp responsibly. That means camping in previously disturbed sites, protecting vegetation, being careful with campfires, avoiding camping within 200 feet of streams and lakes, and using only weed free hay for stock.
Also, there are limited Forest Service staff available for assistance, so please exercise caution and safety while exploring the National Forest System. Finally, please be respectful of those Forest Service employees who are still working through the shutdown. They are doing their best to protect life and property throughout the National Forest System."
See more here... http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/...estions-about-visiting-national-forests/?_r=0
A certain someone put large signs up at the entrances to the Buffalo river last night that said "This is 'We The People's park, not Congress's, help yourself." for the life of me I can't figure out who it was. No one removed them, and there were a couple civie trucks there this morning. 
A certain someone put large signs up at the entrances to the Buffalo river last night that said "This is 'We The People's park, not Congress's, help yourself." for the life of me I can't figure out who it was. No one removed them, and there were a couple civie trucks there this morning.
Hell yeah! That is the best thing I've heard in a while.
In a similar vein, a friend of mine had a buddy in town who is a FS ranger on furlough. When asked if we could hunt a certain area marked as closed before the shutdown, he replied "well it is your land. I don't see why not." Damned straight.
Similar threads
